Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins are essential for the structure and function of all cells in the body. Peptides have a wide range of functions in the body, including:
-serving as hormones and neurotransmitters
-involved in cell signaling
-playing a role in immunity
-acting as enzymes
-regulating metabolism
Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds to form peptides. There are 20 different amino acids that can be used to make peptides, and these 20 amino acids can be combined in an endless variety of ways to create different peptides. The sequence of amino acids in a peptide determines its function. Peptides can be divided into three categories: linear, branched, and cyclic.
Linear peptides are straight chains of amino acids with no side groups attached. Branched peptides have one or more side groups attached to the main chain of amino acids. Cyclic peptides have a ring structure formed by the linkage of two or more amino acids.
The length of a peptide is typically between 2 and 50 amino acid residues, but some may be much longer (up to several thousand residues).